Gin Tama, Vol. 12

R to L (Japanese Style)The samurai didn't stand a chance. First, the aliens invaded Japan. Next, they took all the jobs. And then they confiscated everyone's swords. So what does a hotheaded former samurai like Sakata "Gin" Gintoki do to make ends meet? Take any odd job that comes his way, even if it means losing his dignity...The Longest Way Around Is the Shortest WayThings I've Learned While Living With Gin (by Kagura)1. Buildings get destroyed because they are in the way.2. If you're going to stalk someone, watch out for pit-traps!3. People who say Santa doesn't really exist actually want to believe in him.4. Some people (Shinpachi) are always the butt of the joke.5. No matter what Gin says ice cream is a great prize for winning a snowball fight, uh-huh!

Hideaki Sorachi was born on May 25, 1979 and grew up in Hokkaido, Japan. His ongoing series, GIN TAMA, became a huge hit when it began running in the pages of Japan's Weekly Shonen Jump in 2004. A GIN TAMA animated series followed soon after, premiering on Japanese TV in April 2006. Sorachi made his manga debut with the one-shot story DANDELION, which is included in volume 1 of the GIN TAMA graphic novels.